Switch-operating mechanism.



I J. W. worm. SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM. J APPLIOATION FILED MAY 7, 1912.

, ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WILLIAM STONE, Oli DOWNINGPTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

swrrcn-ornmrme MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented Apr, 14, 1914.

Application filed May 7, 1912. Serial No. $9 5,603.

To all whom it may concern vented a new and useful Switch-Operating.

Mo hanisnn of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements U1 switch operating mechanism and comprises cam 'or similar means for operating the switch, means for automatically locking the rails in either the open or the closed position. an integrally connected signaling device connected with and automatically operated directly from the switch operating means, a counter-balanced lever secured directly to the cam or similar movable memher, and other details of construction.

Referring to the drawings :-Figure 1 1s a plan view of my device applied to a railroad switch. Fig. 2 is an end view. Fig. 3 is a section on 33 of Fig. l with the switch thrown in the opposite direction. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cam engaging end of the slide rod, showing the channel therein.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The slide rod 7 is. suitably secured in apertured lug 8 of tie rod 9, which is secured to rails 10 and 11 which are rnovably mounted in any well known manner. The slide rod extends beneath rails 11 and 12 through bracket 1?, of bed plate 14 and is adapted to slide through said bracket to move rails 10 and 11 in response to the movement of cam 16 between the sides of the groove or channel 15 with which rod 7 is provided. Cam 16 is provided with hub 18 and with the rigid axles 19 and 20 adapted to revolve in suitable brackets 21 which project upwardly from bed plate v14.. This bed plate is preferably secured. between a pair of long ties or sleepers 36 and is provided with a centrally disposed opening through which the cam projects td engage with groove 15 in slide rod 7. Secured within the interiorly threaded lug 22 at right angles to the axis of the cam and directly opposite a point midway between the two ends of the groove engaging periphery of the cam, is the heavy counter-balanced arm or lever 23 foractuating the cam to move the slide rod to throw the switch.

The formation of cam 16 is such that when lever 23 is moved from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to the position shown in dotted lines in said figure, the engagement of the cams periphery with the sides of channel 15 on rod 7 causes said rod to be moved through bracket 13 to push against tie rod 9 and consequently moverail 10 against rail 28 and rail 11 away from rail 12. The movement of the lever from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to the position shown in full lines in said figure, obviously causes the movement of rails 1.0 and 11 in the opposite direction.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that each side of groove 15 is angularly formed and comprises two faces, 29 and 30 and 31 and 3' respectively. Faces or extensions 29 and 31 are parallel with each other and extend, on opposite sides of the groove, from opposite sides of the bar and at an angle of about i5 with the longitudinal axis of the same, while faces 30 and 32 are likewise on opposite sides of the groove and parallel, but at right angles with the longitudinal extension of the bar. At the ends of the groove engaging periphery of cam 16, extensions 33 and 3+ of said periphery are provided. 'lhese'extensions lie on either side of the cam pitch and at rightangles with the axis of the cam and. the longitudinal axis of rod 7, but parallel with faces 30 and 32 and at an angle with'faces 29 and 31.

The cam movel'nent to throw the switch in either direction is through a little more than half a revolution of the cam or rotatable member 16. At the ending of the cam movement through the groove in either direction, either part 33 or 34 of the periphery of the cam. as the case may he, assumes a position parallel with faces 30 and 32 and at angle to its prior line of travel parallel with faces 29 and 31. This causes an efiectual automatic locking of the switch in either the open or the closed position as the case maybe. As the heavy (punter-balanced lever 23 is pushed down helow its axis of rotation as shown in Fig. 2, thelocking efficiency of the parts is materially aided and the accidental throwing of the switch is eiiectually pie vented. V It will be noted that my device is of extremely simple construction and that the cam and the counter-balanced lever carried strength of the parts. In this connection it will also he noted that the simplicity and strength of the various partsrenders the employment of a housing or cover for the device unnecessary, and permits of the exposure oi the device to the weatherwvithout injury to the structure itself or in its opera tion.

I t will also be understood that I do not confine myself to the specific features of construction shown in the drawings and described herein, but that various changes ma be made from said construction without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:-

i. In switch operating mechanism, the combination of a recessed slide bar, a cam for cooperating with said recess and an actu ating leter projecting directly from the cam member at a point midway between the two ends of its recess-engaging periphery.

2; In switch operating mechanism, the combination of arecessed slide bar, a cam for coiiperating'witli said recess and a coun terbalanced actuating lever projecting directly from the cam member at a point midway between the two ends of its recessengaging periphery.

3. In switch operating"mechanism, the combination of a slide rod provided with a channel having oppositely disposed faces, said faces being angularly disposed with respect to each other, and rotatable means, operating between two of said .faces, for locking the slide rod against accidentil movement. v

4. In switch operating mechanism, the combination of a slide rod having a groqve I therein, each side of said groove comprising i l I I l l 1! two adjacent angularly disposed faces parallel with corresponding faces on the opposite side of the groovc,,a cam forworking in said groove, and means connected with the periphery of the cam for cooperating with" the groove to automatically lock the slide rod against accidental movement.

JOHN WILLIAM STONE. Witnesses JOHN A. BARRY,

WALTER J, VVIneANn. 

